Letter of Support for the USGS S.O. Conte Research Laboratory

Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory

On June 4th, 2025, the Connecticut River Conservancy sent a letter of support for The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center's S.O. Conte Research Laboratory in Turners Falls, MA, to the Acting Director of the USGS National Center, Sarah Ryker. The full letter is shared below.

Dear Dr. Ryker,

We are writing to express our wholehearted support for the Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory (Conte Lab), a critical component of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center. The Conte Lab is a national leader in applied research that strengthens our understanding of diadromous fish biology and drives innovation in fish passage technologies which are essential to balancing hydropower generation with healthy, sustainable river ecosystems.

As conservation professionals who work closely with regulatory agencies, local communities, and other stakeholders in the Connecticut River watershed and beyond, we at the Connecticut River Conservancy rely on the data and insights produced by the Conte Lab. The peer-reviewed research has informed everything from the design of our own fish passage studies to the educational materials we share with the public. The work undertaken at the lab ultimately leads to more well-crafted plans and regulations designed to restore and manage anadromous fish populations. It also establishes guidance for the identification, conservation, and connectivity of migratory fish species such as American shad, sea lamprey, and the federally endangered shortnose sturgeon.

The unique combination of hydraulic engineering and aquatic ecology facilities and expertise under one roof has led to the lab’s extraordinary professional excellence. It is not an exaggeration to say that many of the improvements to the Holyoke fishway—and planned enhancements at other facilities—would not be possible without the foundational science conducted at Conte.

Importantly, because the Conte Lab is a non-regulatory research facility, its work is widely trusted as objective and credible. This impartiality is essential to crafting fair, effective policies and licensing agreements that are grounded in sound science. The contributions of the Conte Lab extend well beyond our region; its influence is national and international, helping governments and hydropower operators around the world improve fish passage and support resilient aquatic ecosystems.

In an era when the need to balance renewable energy development with environmental stewardship is more urgent than ever, the role of the Conte Lab has never been more vital. Their research promotes both ecological restoration and economic sustainability by helping to ensure viable fish populations for future generations—benefiting recreational and commercial fisheries, cultural traditions, and river communities throughout the watershed.

While this letter has focused broadly on the critically import work of the Conte Lab, that work is inextricable from the exceptional staff, those dedicated public servants whose expertise, professionalism, and commitment to science serve the public good every day. Their collaborative mindset and deep knowledge make them trusted partners across sectors and geographies. Investing in these individuals is also an investment in the health of our rivers, the strength of our communities, and the quality of our nation’s environmental stewardship.

We are grateful for the expertise, integrity, and collaborative spirit of the Conte Lab’s staff and urge continued, robust support for this truly exceptional facility and its mission.

Sincerely,

Rebecca E. Todd

Executive Director

Connecticut River Conservancy

cc: The Honorable Doug Burgum Secretary of the Interior.